[Psml] Chart Smart Books

[John & Judy Gill]

Paul,

I was not trying to make it sound easy.  However the problem is not  
as new as you make it out to be.  National has been talking about  
doing away with Boat Smart and Chart Smart for about  two (2) years.   
They have been talking about revising the Squadron BOATING COURSE for  
about the same period of time.  The problem has been compounded by a  
change in the NEO position.

Presently, we don't even know if the America's Boating Course will  
continue to be supported by USPS???

The new two module public boating course has not yet been named (D/5  
has been asking for the name of the new two-section, two-module  
course for over six (6) months in order to order a new boat show  
exhibit display for the Northern D/5 Squadrons, but finally had to  
order exhibit panels promoting the Squadron BOATING COURSE, Boat  
Smart and the America's Boating Course.  By next year, we may have to  
throw out our new exhibit and order new panels because National  
finally comes up with a new name???

The best alternative that I know of is to STOP teaching Charting to  
the public --period.  Make people join USPS to get that education or  
go elsewhere.  This is particularly true for those Squadrons who  
compete with FREE state safe boating courses.

John

=======================================


On Jan 3, 2007, at 8:54 PM, Paul R. Soucy wrote:

> John,
>
> You make it sound so easy, until you try it.
>
> We have for years conducted Boat Smart followed in a couple of  
> weeks with Chart Smart.  Our last Boat Smart had 80 people, Chart  
> Smart had 12. We gained two new members between the two classes.   
> This year as the new SEO, I desided to get a jump on the schedule  
> and set dates for both Boat Smart followed by Chart Smart.  Then I  
> find out, without hardly any advance warning that Boat Smart books  
> would not be available after April 2007. No mention at the time of  
> Chart Smart book availablilty.  So I ordered and got Boat Smart  
> Books, shortly thereafter I attempted to order Chart Smart and was  
> informed Hq USPS is out of books and they will no longer be  
> printed.  In fact John, as we all know Boat Smart and Chart Smart  
> will be combined into the Squadron Boating Course which can be  
> ordered for $26.00 in March 2007. Doesn't do me any good, our  
> classes are in Jan/Feb time frame.
>
> So to get out of this mess I attempted to ask USPS world if anyone  
> had spare Chart Smart books. I have plenty of Boat Smart books,  
> however they to will be replaced by the upcoming and imporved  
> Squadron Boating Course.
>
> Another way out is to charge $26.00 for Boat Smart for two Saturday  
> sessions, then charge another $26.00 for one four hour class using  
> the improved Squadron Boating Course (which is not out yet) and  
> tell the students we'll only teach the part that deals with  
> Charting.  That I'm afraid would upset a few people.  Course  
> students can hang their Maptech CD from their rear view mirror.
>
> Boat Smart at $26.00 and Chart Smart at $16.00 worked fine for many  
> years, why didn't they just leave it alone. Or at least give us  
> ample warning of the changes made. Which by the way happened close  
> to some squadrons change of watch catching incoming SEO's unaware.
>
> If USPS keeps making these ''Improvements'' to educational courses  
> which results in increased costs not only to squadrons, but to  
> students as well, we SEO's might experience empty classes.
>
> Paul Soucy AP
> SEO Long Bay
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "John & Judy Gill"  
> <twojscom at quadnet.net>
> To: "Paul R. Soucy" <psoucy at sc.rr.com>; "USPS Power Squadron  
> Mailing List" <psml at usps.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 6:54 PM
> Subject: Re: [Psml] Chart Smart Books
>
>
>> Paul and list,
>>
>> I know that the demise of Chart Smart is a dilemma for many  
>> Squadrons  who have been teaching Boat Smart followed by Chart Smart.
>>
>> Why not turn lemons into lemon-aid by just teaching Boat Smart or  
>> preferably the America's Boating Course as a classroom course and   
>> then telling students that you will offer a Piloting course right   
>> after the public boating course (read new member recruitment).   
>> Those  who are interested in learning about Charting will join to  
>> take the  course, those who aren't interested enough will just  
>> have to learn  the hard way and wouldn't be good members anyway!
>>
>> Soon, the Boat Smart course will also be discontinued and only a  
>> new two-module or two-part public boating course (not yet named)  
>> will be available (no introductory date has been announced).   
>> Students will  be required to purchase the entire new course, but  
>> Squadrons will  have the option of teaching only one or both modules.
>>
>> OK, for the time being, offer the Squadron BOATING COURSE and  
>> only  teach 1/2 of the course at a slightly reduced fee!!  If  
>> students wish  to take the second half, offer it at am additional  
>> nominal fee.  End  of problem.
>>
>> D/Lt John Gill, AP
>> Pennsway (PA) Squadron.
>>
>> =========================
>>
>>
>> On Jan 3, 2007, at 5:25 PM, Paul R. Soucy wrote:
>>
>>> Our squadron is in need of 25 Chart Smart books. Hq is out and  
>>> will  not be printing anymore.  If any squadron has exrta copies,  
>>> please  let me know as soon as possible.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Paul Soucy AP
>>> Long Bay SEO
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>
>